irreversible

[ ir-i-vur-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not reversible; incapable of being changed:

   His refusal is irreversible.

irreversible

/ ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be reversed

   the irreversible flow of time

2. not able to be revoked or repealed; irrevocable
3. chem physics capable of changing or producing a change in one direction only

   an irreversible reaction

4. thermodynamics (of a change, process, etc) occurring through a number of intermediate states that are not all in thermodynamic equilibrium

Derived Forms

• ˌirreˈversibly, adverb
• ˌirreˌversiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• irre·versi·bili·ty irre·versi·ble·ness noun
• irre·versi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irreversible¹

First recorded in 1620–30; ir- ² + reversible

Example Sentences

Scientists tell us that we have to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by about half this decade to avoid irreversible, catastrophic effects of climate change.

From Popular-Science

Large-scale theft of data like Social Security numbers could create irreversible damage to political and social systems.

From MIT Technology Review

If we don’t act now, the harm that we are doing to the planet will be irreversible.

From Fortune

For the past two years, we’ve partnered with Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, to ship vaccines with sensors that can detect breaks in the cold chain before they lead to irreversible damage.

From Fortune

The always capricious dynamic between advertisers and agencies is going through its latest set of twists and turns as both groups experience irreversible changes to their respective businesses caused by the coronavirus crisis.

From Digiday

That would create an irreversible cycle wherein the climate is beyond our control.

From The Daily Beast

Now, a new mouthpiece may help protect players from irreversible harm.

From The Daily Beast

If I had my wish, football would suffer a sudden and irreversible drop in popularity.

From The Daily Beast

Echoing Hugo Chavez, they have vowed to make his revolution “irreversible.”

From The Daily Beast

For the populations of tiny island nations like Kiribati, the threat is real and near – and any impacts would be irreversible.

From The Daily Beast

All was over of hope: and the particulars seemed immaterial, since the catastrophe was as irreversible as it was afflicting.

From Project Gutenberg

In His case, as in the case of others, judgment follows death,judgment irreversible on the things done in the body.

From Project Gutenberg

By the social code, sin between man and woman can never be blotted out, as assuredly it is the most irreversible of facts.

From Project Gutenberg

We know that in virtue of Carnot's principle physical phenomena are irreversible and the world tends toward uniformity.

From Project Gutenberg

Life is an irreversible process and for that reason its future can never be a repetition of the past.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inevitable
• permanent